Best 4 Classic Crab Cakes Recipes

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Calling all seafood enthusiasts and culinary adventurers! Embark on a delectable journey with our classic crab cakes, a harmonious blend of fresh, succulent crab meat, bound together with a symphony of aromatic herbs and spices. These golden-brown patties are a testament to the bounty of the sea, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.

In this comprehensive guide, we present two enticing crab cake recipes, each with its own unique flair. Our traditional crab cakes adhere to the timeless recipe, showcasing the natural sweetness of the crab meat with a touch of Old Bay seasoning and a crisp, golden crust. For those seeking a more adventurous culinary experience, our zesty crab cakes infuse a burst of citrusy brightness with lemon and dill, resulting in a refreshing and vibrant twist on this classic dish.

Both recipes are meticulously crafted, providing step-by-step instructions to ensure your crab cakes turn out perfect every time. We'll guide you through the process of selecting the finest crab meat, creating a flavorful binder that holds the cakes together, and achieving that perfect golden-brown crust.

So, gather your ingredients, prepare your kitchen, and get ready to embark on a culinary voyage that will transport you to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Indulge in the exquisite taste of our classic crab cakes, and experience the joy of creating a dish that will become a cherished favorite in your kitchen.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC CRAB CAKES



Classic Crab Cakes image

Our region is known for good seafood, and crab cakes are a traditional favorite. I learned to make them from a chef in a restaurant where they were a bestseller. The crabmeat's sweet and mild flavor is sparked by the blend of other ingredients. -Debbie Terenzini, Lusby, Maryland

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound fresh or canned crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
2 to 2-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
1 large egg, beaten
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup each chopped celery, green pepper and onion
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, optional
Lemon wedges, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the crab, bread crumbs, egg, mayonnaise, vegetables and seasonings. Shape into 8 patties. Broil or cook patties in a cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet in oil for 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. If desired, serve with lemon. Freeze option: Freeze cooled crab cakes in freezer containers, separating layers with waxed paper. To use, reheat crab cakes on a baking sheet in a preheated 325° oven until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 282 calories, Fat 22g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 85mg cholesterol, Sodium 638mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CLASSIC CRAB CAKES



Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Cakes image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay Seasoning)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup peanut or canola oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced scallions, both white and green parts
1 pound lump blue crabmeat, drained and picked clean of shell
4 cups fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves
About 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Red Cocktail Sauce or Green Cocktail Sauce, recipes follow
4 lemon wedges
1 cup ketchup or chili sauce (recommended: Heinz)
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 dashes hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.

Steps:

  • Put the egg yolk, seafood seasoning, mustard, lemon zest and juice, and vinegar in the bowl of a food processor or a blender and process until smooth. Gradually pour in the oil with the machine running until the mixture emulsifies and forms a mayonnaise. Season with the salt and pepper. (Note: this quantity of mayonnaise will not emulsify in the bowl of the largest size food processor. Use a medium size food processor, a mini processor, or a blender.)
  • Transfer the mayonnaise to a bowl and, using a rubber spatula, fold in the scallions and the crabmeat until well combined. Combine the bread crumbs and the parsley in a shallow container. Form the crab mixture into 8 patties about 3-inches wide and 3/4-inch thick and drop them into the bread crumb-parsley mixture. Dredge the crab cakes on both sides. If you have time, leave the crab cakes in the container of bread crumbs, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour or more.
  • When you are ready to fry the crab cakes, put 2 large nonstick skillets over medium heat. Add about 2 tablespoons butter to each pan. When the butter is melted, add 4 crab cakes to each pan, patting off excess crumbs first. Slowly fry the crab cakes over medium heat until they are golden brown on both sides and hot through, turning once with a spatula, about 4 minutes per side. If the crab cakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat. The internal temperature of a cooked crab cake should be 155 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
  • Transfer the crab cakes to plates, 2 per person, and serve with your choice of sauce and lemon wedges.
  • 8 ounces tomatillos, husked and cut into quarters
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons green hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, toasted
  • 1 teaspoon peeled and grated fresh horseradish
  • Put the tomatillos in the bowl of a food processor and process until coarsely pureed. Remove the tomatillo puree to a sieve, drain off the liquid and discard. Put the drained puree in a bowl and stir in the vinegar, sugar, hot sauce, garlic, mustard seeds, and horseradish.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CLASSIC CRAB CAKES



Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Cakes image

Make and share this Chesapeake Bay Classic Crab Cakes recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Crab

Time 38m

Yield 8 large crab cakes

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1/2 cup peanut oil or 1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced scallion, both white and green parts
1 lb lump blue crabmeat, drained and picked clean of shell
4 cups fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, about
4 lemon wedges

Steps:

  • Add the yolk, Old Bay, mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vinegar to the bowl of a food processor or blender; process until smooth.
  • Gradually pour in the oil with the machine running until the mixture emulsifies and forms a mayonnaise.
  • Season with the salt and pepper (this quantity of mayonnaise will not emulsify in the bowl of the largest food processor; use a medium food processor, a mini processor, or a blender).
  • Transfer the mayonnaise to a bowl and, using a rubber spatula, fold in the scallions and the crabmeat until well combined.
  • Combine the bread crumbs and the parsley in a shallow container.
  • Form the crab mixture into 8 patties about 3 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick and drop them into the bread crumb mixture.
  • Dredge the crab cakes on both sides; if you have time, leave the crab cakes in the container of bread crumbs, cover with plastic wrap, and chill for an hour or so.
  • When you are ready to fry the crab cakes, put 2 large nonstick skillets over medium heat.
  • Add about 2 tablespoons butter to each pan; when the butter is melted, add 4 crab cakes to each pan, patting off excess crumbs first.
  • Slowly fry the cakes until they are golden brown on both sides and hot through, turning once with a spatula, about 4 minutes per side.
  • If the crab cakes are browning too quickly, reduce the heat.
  • The internal temperature of a cooked crab cake should be 155° on an instant-read thermometer.
  • Transfer the crab cakes to plates, 2 per person, and serve with your choice of sauce and lemon wedges.

CLASSIC CRAB CAKES WITH CHILE GARLIC MAYONNAISE



Classic Crab Cakes with Chile Garlic Mayonnaise image

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Time 1h32m

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 large bottle mayonnaise
1 bottle chili-garlic sauce
1 can/bottle lemon juice
3 red bell peppers
1 bottle olive oil
3 red onions
3 bunches of celery
3 pounds crabmeat, coarsely chopped
6 large eggs
2 large containers breadcrumbs
1 cup mayonnaise
4 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Steps:

  • Chile Garlic Mayonnaise Mix mayonnaise, chili-garlic sauce, and 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice in small bowl. Cover and refrigerate chili mayonnaise.
  • Classic Crab Cakes Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, celery, onion, and jalapeno; saute 3 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in crab, egg, 1/2 cup chili mayonnaise, and remaining 2 teaspoons lemon juice, then 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs. Form crab mixture into eight 1/2-inch-thick cakes, using 1/2 cup for each. Dredge cakes in remaining 3 1/2 cups breadcrumbs, turning to coat. Place on baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add crab cakes and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to plates. Serve, passing remaining chili mayonnaise separately.

Tips:

  • Choose fresh crab meat: Fresh crab meat is key to making delicious crab cakes. Look for crab meat that is firm and has a sweet, briny flavor. Avoid crab meat that is mushy or has a strong fishy smell.
  • Use a light touch when mixing the crab cakes: Overmixing the crab cakes will make them tough. Gently fold the ingredients together until just combined.
  • Don't overcook the crab cakes: Crab cakes are best when they are cooked through but still moist and tender. Cook them over medium heat until they are golden brown on both sides.
  • Serve the crab cakes with your favorite dipping sauce: Crab cakes are traditionally served with tartar sauce, but you can also try them with other sauces, such as cocktail sauce, remoulade, or lemon butter.

Conclusion:

Crab cakes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. With a few simple tips, you can make crab cakes that are sure to impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a seafood dish to make, give crab cakes a try. You won't be disappointed!

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